Weight support device

ABSTRACT

A workout device that supports free weights that move from a first position to a second position through engagement of an activation assembly includes a frame and an activating assembly having a pedal connected to the frame. An activating arm is connected to the pedal at one end and connected to a support arm at the opposite end, while a guide rail is connected to the frame such that the support arm is slidably mounted to the guide rail.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a workout device for supporting weights and more particularly to a device that permits the device to be moved during a workout.

Moving free weights against the resistance of gravity is a well known means of exercising. Through exercising with free weights a user can tone their muscles, improve their strength, increase their stamina, rehabilitate injuries, maintain bone density and muscle mass and improve or maintain their overall health. In addition free weights are particularly well suited for targeting specific muscle groups, through repetitious motions. Additionally by moving the free weights in different ways, a user can target different muscle groups.

Many devices have been developed to help facilitate the targeting of specific muscle groups. For instance, for targeting the chest or pectoral muscles, flat benches were developed for use with free weights. However, to improve upon flat benches, incline benches and decline benches were also developed. By altering a person's body position, by having the person lay flat, lay at an incline, or lay at a decline, the chest or pectoral muscles can be affected in different ways improving the overall quality of a workout.

Despite the development of many devices that help facilitate moving free weights in various ways to target different muscle groups and despite the many advantages of exercising with free weights, there are significant drawbacks to using free weights. For instance a user's grip or muscle strength could suddenly give-out resulting in the user dropping the weight. Dropping weight could cause injury. Therefore, many workout devices have been developed to prevent injury to a user from a dropped or uncontrolled weight. However many of these devices require the user to maintain, at least partial strength or control of the free weight so that they can direct the weight toward the safety device. Other safety devices restricted the motion of the free weight by placing the weights in controlled tracks that limit their motion or by using levers, pulleys and cables and relocating the weights to an area away from the user. These alternatives reduce the quality of the exercise. Other safety devices place cumbersome or dangerous structures in the vicinity of the user to prevent injury from falling weights, these devices sometimes also restrict the user's range of motion. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a device that addresses these deficiencies.

Additionally, many free weight exercises require a user to drop the weight to the floor after an exercise has been completed. When dropping the weight the user often has to extend their limbs and bend their joints in a potentially dangerous manner to accomplish this task. The dangers and hazards of this motion are often exasperated by the fact that the user just completed a tiring exercise, lending to a higher potential for injury. This is particularly the case when a user is performing dumbbell flyes using dumbbells or lying tricep presses (otherwise known as “skull crushers”) using an ez-curl bar bell. Therefore a need exists for a device that eliminates the controlled dropping of free weights after an exercise has been completed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device that protects a user from falling weights.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the user with unrestricted range of motion of the free weight.

Yet another object of the present invention is to move into and out of position while the operator is using the weight.

Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for controlled dropping of free weights after an exercise has been completed.

These and other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A workout device that supports free weights that move from a first position to a second position through engagement of an activation assembly includes a frame and an activating assembly having a pedal connected to the frame. An activating arm is connected to the pedal at one end and connected to a support arm at the opposite end, while a guide rail is connected to the frame such that the support arm is slidably mounted to the guide rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a workout device slidably mounted to rails connected to the frame; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a workout device pivotally mounted to the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a workout device 2 has a frame 4. Connected to the frame 4 is an activating assembly 6. The activating assembly 6 comprises a pedal 8 connected to the frame 4 by a hinge 10. Connected to the pedal 8 is a locking mechanism 12 (note shown) which serves to both lock the activating assembly 6 in place as well as unlock the activating assembly 6 such that it can operate. An activating arm 14 is connected to the pedal 8 at one end and to the support arm 16 at the opposite end. A guide rail 18 is connected to the frame 4. The support arm 16 is slidably mounted to the guide rail 18. A stop device 20 is connected to the frame 4 so as to prevent the motion of the support arm 16 in at least one direction.

The support arm 16 has a horizontal section 22, an elbow section 24 and a vertical section 26. Connected to the support arm 16 is a support member 28. The support member 28 is both removable from the support arm 16 and rotatable in relation to the support arm 16. The support member 28 comprises an arcuate member 30 connected to and extending from the support arm 16. Connected to the arcuate member 30 is a holding member 32. The holding member 32 has a flat bottom surface 34, an arcuate upper surface 36, a closed side 38 and an open side 40. Connected to the support arm 16 is a stop mechanism 42. Connected to the activating assembly is a biasing member 44 (not shown).

In operation a user engages the activating assembly 6, disengaging the locking mechanism 12 by applying pressure to the pedal 8. The movement of the pedal 8, which is connected to activating arm 14, moves the activating arm 14 which in-turn moves the support arm 16 from a first position to a second position. The support arm 16 slides along the guide rail 18. This movement of the support arm can be towards the user so as to place the support arm 16 into a position to protect the user from a falling free weight. Alternatively, this movement of the support arm 16 can be away from the user so as to place the support arm 16 in a position away from the user so as to enable the user to exercise with free weights in a completely unrestricted manner.

The user can engage the locking mechanism 12 to lock the support arm 16 in place. Alternatively the user can release the pedal 8 and the biasing member 44 will return the support arm 16 to its natural position. Additionally, motion of the support arm 16 is limited by stop device 20 in at least one direction.

In an alternative embodiment, the support arm 16 is pivotally mounted to the frame 4 at pivot point 46. In this embodiment, the activating arm 14 is connected to a pedal 8 at one end and connected to an activating member 48 at an opposite end. The activating member 48 engages the pivotally mounted support arm 16. The activating member 48 also engages a guide 50.

In operation a user engages the activating assembly 6 by disengaging the locking mechanism 12 and stepping on the pedal 8. The movement of the pedal 8, which is connected to activating arm 14 moves the activating arm 14 which moves activating member 48. Activating member 48 engages support arm 16 making support arm 16 rotate about pivot point 46. In this way support arm 16 moves from a first position to a second position.

The support arm 16 is further equipped with a stop mechanism 42. When free weights are placed on support arm 16, stop mechanism 42 prevents movement of support arm 16.

In operation the user can operate the workout device 2 to hold the free weights between exercises eliminating the need to drop the free weights after the exercise is complete. Alternatively, in operation the user can operate the workout device 2 to protect the user from accidentally dropping the free weights. 

1. A workout device comprising: a frame; an activating assembly having a pedal connected to the frame; an activating arm connected to the pedal at one end and connected to a support arm at the opposite end; a guide rail connected to the frame; the support arm slidably mounted to the guide rail; and a stop mechanism connected to the support arm such that when weights are placed on the support arm the stop mechanism prevents movement of the support arm.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a support member connected to the support arm.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the pedal locks in position.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the activating assembly is biased towards a position.
 5. (canceled)
 6. A workout device comprising: a frame; an activating assembly having a pedal connected to the frame; an activating arm connected to the pedal at one end and connected to an activating member at the opposite end; and a support arm pivotally mounted to the frame and positioned such that the activating member engages the support arm.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the pedal locks in position.
 8. The device of claim 6 further comprising a support member connected to the support arm.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein an arcuate member extends from the support member.
 10. The device of claim 8 wherein the support member is removable.
 11. The device of claim 8 wherein the support member is rotatable.
 12. The device of claim 8 wherein a holding device is connected to the support member.
 13. The device of claim 6 wherein the activating assembly is biased towards a position.
 14. The device of claim 6 further comprising a stop mechanism connected to the support arm.
 15. The device of claim 6 further comprising a stop device connected to the frame.
 16. The device of claim 14 wherein when weights are placed on the support arm the stop mechanism prevents movement of the support arm. 